2026 will be a “test year” for Cannabis policies as some countries move from gray areas into clear laws while other countries tighten their laws. The list below represents a ground level watch list of which countries have the most current momentum towards legalization and possible scenarios in the coming years.
- Czechia: 2026 begins with actual changes
Czechia is getting lots of headlines in 2026 due to home grow and possession rules going into effect (as well as an adult-use focus on private cultivation and not a complete retail market).
Why this matters:
- it provides a legal base for personal use,
- it increases pressure to follow with the next step (regulated sales or clubs),
- it sets a policy precedent for the rest of the EU member states in the area.
- Slovenia: the small country that makes a big statement
Slovenia has recently debated legislation to allow for the legalization of marijuana as a result of a non-binding 2024 referendum and subsequent legislative proposals and drafts.
What to look for in 2026:
whether there will be a binding adult-use framework created by the government through these proposals,
what kind of limitations will be placed on recreational users (i.e., home grow, possession), as well as how the government will implement public health measures.
- Switzerland: testing pilots today – will the entire country follow tomorrow?
Switzerland has had a formal legal basis for scientifically tested pilot programs to test regulated adult-use distribution and distribution models — and those pilots have expanded to include multiple cities/cantons.
In 2026, the primary question is:
will the successful results of the pilot programs help to push forward a nationwide commercial model for cannabis, or will the country continue to operate under a “pilot” model for much longer?
- Netherlands: an experiment that may provide a way to pass reform
The Netherlands is conducting a controlled cannabis supply chain experiment to test if regulated production can replace the illicit supply lines feeding coffeeshops.
If the results of the experiment are positive, then they strengthen the arguments to expand legalization based upon:
- the safety and quality of the product,
- reduction in crime,
- transparency of the supply chain.
Outside of Europe: in no way does “next” mean legalization
Not all moves in 2026 will be in favor of expanding adult-use access to cannabis. For instance, Thailand has begun to restrict its laws (move sales toward prescription/medical).
Typically determines who is “next”
Countries that can make progress quickest typically have:
- an established medical program,
- public support (and/or a political coalition’s support),
- a workable tax and regulation plan,
- clear enforcement guidelines (to ensure the law is not simply symbolic).
If you run a U.K. cannabis blog, 2026 is a good time to start tracking the policy design (home grow vs. retail, clubs vs. pharmacies, THC limits, licensees) since it is the specifics of the policy design that ultimately shapes the market and culture, not simply the “headline” of legalization.
Read more in our blog.